I've got this idea in my head that I'd really like to give a generic system a shot, so I can have a bit more freedom with creating a setting. I mostly just want something with an easy to manage "rules light" ruleset that is still tight enough to handle most situations that will come up during play. The other requirement is that it has to be available in dead tree format.

The two that I'm leaning towards right now are the D6 system (Adventure, Fantasy, Space) and Savage Worlds. From what I can gather, they seem to have a few similarities and I'm interested on hearing any opinions or comparisons you guys might have on either of them. I have some familiarity with the old Star Wars D6 system, but it looks like they've modified a few things since then. I've only taken a look at the Savage Worlds test drive, so that's all I have to go on for that one.

 I'm thinking that one of those games might suit my needs, but I'm also interested in hearing about any other systems I may have overlooked that you guys think might fit the bill.

Just how light are we talking about, here?  What do you mean when you say that?

I heart D6 until my head falls off.  But what do you need?

It's all about your needs, baby.

Well, I'm looking to take a minimalist approach to crunch. I'd like there to be enough there to handle just about any situation, but not so detailed that it bogs down prep time. For instance, I stopped running D&D 3.X because I decided that it has too much rules bloat that complicates prep time for me. The two generic games that I mentioned (D6 and Savage Worlds) seem to have about the right balance of crunch. I'm not looking for something SO light that it barely has any rules. I still want some crunch, I just don't want to be weighed down by it to the point that it becomes tedious.

I found that d6 gives quite "cinematic" results - one guy's punch may kill someone, while another guy cops a burst from a machinegun and is unhurt. It's the "wild die."

You may love a cinematic game, or hate it - if you love it, go for d6.

It's easier for us to recommend a game if you specify what you want - cinematic or realistic, based on numbers or based on descriptions, etc.

KillingMachine*, as a long, LONG-time fan of WEG's Star Wars D6 game, I am here to tell you that the new D6 rules are an improvement in almost every way.  I say "almost" because the starship stuff in the core Space book is a little 'meh' and the new initiative rules are kind of tricky to figure if, umn, you are me.  However, the rest of it is ice cream and soft drinks, man.  



*In my head, I'm pronouncing your name "KEE-leeng mah-TCHEEN".  And there's a burro with ball-fringe and a guy with a machete and some tacos.  :haw:

Ah, I see. I'm not too concerned with realism. I guess that I'm shooting more for the cinematic approach.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!KillingMachine*, as a long, LONG-time fan of WEG's Star Wars D6 game, I am here to tell you that the new D6 rules are an improvement in almost every way.  I say "almost" because the starship stuff in the core Space book is a little 'meh' and the new initiative rules are kind of tricky to figure if, umn, you are me.  However, the rest of it is ice cream and soft drinks, man.  



*In my head, I'm pronouncing your name "KEE-leeng mah-TCHEEN".  And there's a burro with ball-fringe and a guy with a machete and some tacos.  :haw:

That sounds pretty cool. Would it be very difficult to mix and match something say, from Fantasy with Space? That's one thing I haven't heard much about. You know, just in case I'd want to make some type of crazy mish-mash with space dragons or something.

Hmm. I dunno if I'd want to mix machetes and tacos. Thats just asking for trouble.

Savage Worlds is interesting if wonky.  It is IMO to rpgs what Fluxx is to card games.  The meta aspect of play, with the cards and dice types and bennies, is a game in itself.  It's fun to play because it is a game.  When it doesn't make sense in any context you can think of, just ask yourself if you're having fun or not.

Savage Worlds is an absolute breeze to GM.

I have little to no bookkeeping.  I can whip up an NPC in my head in under 5 seconds and never have to commit it to paper unless it's going to be a recurring NPC.  This is not an exageration.  Granted, I am very familiar with the sytem, but that familiarity was easilly gained.

You can easily throw Sci Fi and Fantasy together.  The fan support is phenomenal, and the community on the forums at http://www.peginc.com is very helpful and friendly.

It works as easily for small barroom brawls as it does for around 50 combatants at once.  If your party were to go totally outside of your gameplan and run smack into a platoon of enemy soldiers,  you'd have no problem winging the stats for the whole platoon.

The book itself is a dry read, and a lot of the rules seem wonky as hell on paper, but play smooth as silk in practice.  It's one of those "you have to play it" kind of games.  Can't recommend it enough.  

Since you were previoiusly running D&D, the transition will be fairly easy, as they share a very similar structure.

Quote from: KillingMachineAh, I see. I'm not too concerned with realism. I guess that I'm shooting more for the cinematic approach.

From the FREE (or mostly free) category you might want to Google for:

BBURPS
ERP
FUDGE
HARPE
PLAINLABEL
PLUS
RISUS
QAGS

From the OGL category:

Action! SCR
Live System

Other:

genreDiversion
EarthAD (PA setting for the above.)
Cinema 2-10
Monkey, Ninja, Pirate, Robot (My review may sound a bit hyper-critical but I remember this as being d@mned fun to read!)
Pulp-Fu

Why would you google when John Kim has done the work for you?

See his list of free "rules-lite" rpgs here.

Quote from: JimBobOzWhy would you google when John Kim has done the work for you?

See his list of free "rules-lite" rpgs here.

Sure, JimBobOz, he could use that link.  I could even have suggested that link (if I'd thought of it at the time) but Googling turns up some amazingly interesting things you just wont find otherwise.

Unless you're at work.  :rolleyes:

I really don't like either of the games you mentioned, but I certainly won't be one of these guys who tries to convince you to try something else that you really don't want.

I do agree with what others have said though, that it'd be really good if you mentioned more about what you're looking for; what type of campaign you want to run, what you consider "light", what you'd find important in a game. Especially if you're hoping to get recommendations for games other than the two you mentioned.

RPGPundit

Quote from: KillingMachineThat sounds pretty cool. Would it be very difficult to mix and match something say, from Fantasy with Space? That's one thing I haven't heard much about. You know, just in case I'd want to make some type of crazy mish-mash with space dragons or something.

Hmm. I dunno if I'd want to mix machetes and tacos. Thats just asking for trouble.

 I recommend either GURPS LITE

 - OR-

 SAVAGE WORLDS


There are at least 5 settings books for SAVAGE WORLDS out there in game stores - but with just the core rulebook you should have enough to do what you want.

 GURPS has an option of "cinematic" play inherent in many of its regular books.


- Ed C.